UK & World News
- 6 March 2013, 15:00
Pregnant Woman Murder: Ex-Boyfriend Jailed
A man who beat his pregnant ex-fiancee to death, causing the death of their unborn baby, has been jailed for at least 27 years.
Unemployed alcoholic Tony McLernon, 24, of North Grove, Harlow, in Essex, was found guilty of murder and child destruction after a trial lasting just over two weeks at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The trial heard he lured Eystna Blunnie, 20, to her death in July last year after telling friends she was trying to ruin his new relationship.
When they met in Howard Way, near her home in Harlow, he jumped on her, kicked her and left her to die in a pool of blood.
Miss Blunnie was due to give birth to a girl within days.
Ordering a minimum tariff of 27 years of a life sentence, Mr Justice Fulford said: "It is undoubtedly the case that he brutally and repeatedly attacked Eystna Blunnie during the course of their relationship.
"He told friends he wanted her significantly harmed or killed. In April he strangled her, causing the baby distress.
"This killing was not the result of an unthinking moment of anger but instead he had contemplated the attack over a long period of time.
"The killing was truly terrible. The horrific screams heard by those nearby show the suffering and pain she suffered and for some period of time she would have been aware of the fatal consequences for herself and her child.
"He has shown not the slightest shred of remorse."
McLernon showed no emotion as he was led from the dock.
what do you think?
michael drouin
this case is proven as i see it the hangmans noose is the only punishment this s#um needs ,mind you a lot of prisoners to not like women killers leave alone child killers hopefully he will have a bad time .
david
27 years 100.000 a year 2.7 million to keep this animal 5£ 6 yards of rope . TO EASY FOR THIS SOFT COUNTRY
Kerry Carline
It should be murder for the baby too.cant say what i want to.orange would ban me for life.
Juliecrumpton1234
I know, Kerry x
Juliecrumpton1234
Once again a truly awful, sickening story, speaking from experience of losing our daughter violently, our reaction was Capitol punishment, as the years go by, I feel, and it is just my opinion, death would be too merciful, I would prefer incarceration for life, I think it's much more of a punishment, I know it costs, but I really see that as much more fitting, our "it" also showed no remorse, I'm only sorry that although he got a life sentence, the tarrif was 16 yrs, also I believe in this case there were two murders, the baby was viable had it been born
Tricky One
You are one of the very few unfortunate people who can actually speak with any validity on the subject of punishments for murder. And i do agree about death being too merciful. It's boring reading the same childish emotional ranting responses over and over again.. Thanks for your opinion on this one.
Juliecrumpton1234
Thankyou, tricky one, I think people's reaction, knee jerk, perhaps, is to " hang em high" I have had the awful misfortune to see things from both sides, and yes, I so wanted him dead, believe me, but I think the biggest thing you can take from someone is their freedom....forever, because it should be forever, no doubt in my mind, to the point the sc*m would beg for death as a release, death as punishment, far too quick and merciful, at least that's how I see it
stevie may
12:28pm on 6/3/2013
Why should the taxpayer have to fund this monster's food, board, healthcare and lodgings for the next 27 years?